# Chapter 1075: Wood Spirit's Hidden Sanctuary
The Wood Spirit youth stood there, still unable to believe it. Instead of immediately running away, he spoke with a trembling voice: "R-really? You really... want to let me go?"
"..." Yun Che took a deep breath. A Royal Wood Spirit—his Wood Spirit Pearl was a treasure that even the lofty upper star realms desperately coveted. He had paid a tremendous price to obtain him, which brought him one step closer to seeing Mo Li... yet he couldn't bring himself to do it.
He didn't even understand what he was thinking, why he was doing this...
I am... a demon who once cruelly poisoned an entire city!
"Go... go now, before I change my mind!" Yun Che gritted his teeth, his mind in turmoil.
"I... I knew... that you must be a good person." He wiped the tears from his face, stepping backward slowly and cautiously, but his gaze remained fixed on Yun Che, filled with the joy of surviving a catastrophe and deep gratitude.
A good person...
When Mu Xuanyin once spoke of the Wood Spirit race, she mentioned that the pure and flawless soul power of Wood Spirits could sense the malice or hostility of other beings.
I, who have stained my hands with countless bloodshed... in his soul perception, am actually a "good person"?
He laughed bitterly at himself.
Behind him, the Wood Spirit youth's slow footsteps grew increasingly distant. But instead of suddenly fleeing at top speed, he stopped after retreating a dozen steps.
"Senior," he spoke timidly.
"..." Yun Che turned sideways, his gaze fierce: "If you don't leave now, and I change my mind, you'll never be able to leave!"
"I... I dare not." The Wood Spirit youth shook his head. He suddenly raised his head bravely: "Senior, can I... ask you a favor? Could you send me back to my home? If I go alone... I'll be caught by them again right away."
"..." Yun Che stood there, not speaking for a long time.
Wood Spirits had too conspicuous physical characteristics. Indeed, even if he let him go, a Wood Spirit alone in Heiya City would only be captured again, or even killed.
"Your home?"
"Yes!" The Wood Spirit youth quickly nodded, then pointed south: "My home is not far outside the city. Senior is so powerful; just leave Heiya City in this direction, and we'll arrive soon... Please, Senior."
Yun Che's eyelids twitched, his heart spasmed... then he strode forward and swept up the Wood Spirit youth: "Let's go!"
Just now he decided to let him go... and now, he so easily decided to escort him?
What the hell am I doing?
Huh! Forget it! Since I've already decided to let him go, I might as well do it properly. Otherwise, if he falls into the hands of the Heiya City people again, wouldn't that make my release meaningless?
He told himself this, quickening his pace, charging southward under the cover of night.
"Senior, thank you. I knew my feelings wouldn't be wrong—you really are a great person." The Wood Spirit youth said gratefully.
"What's your name?" Yun Che asked.
"My name is He Lin." The Wood Spirit youth answered. Facing Yun Che, who had released him and was now escorting him home, he no longer felt any fear, only infinite gratitude and joy. The emerald light in his eyes became even brighter as he looked at Yun Che: "May I ask... how should I address Senior?"
"No need for titles. But better not call me 'senior.' I'm only a dozen years older than you." Yun Che's voice carried no emotional color as he constantly tried to calm his chaotic and conflicted heart.
"Ah?" He Lin's mouth fell open, his face showing deep surprise. After a long while, he exclaimed: "So you're Big Brother! Ah... Big Brother, you're so amazing, really amazing. Even that terrifying person was defeated by you in one go. I thought Big Brother must be very old."
From his voice and the light in his eyes, Yun Che saw profound enthusiasm and admiration.
"I heard that Heiya City has many people who secretly hunt Wood Spirits. Why is your home so close to such a dangerous place?" Yun Che asked.
Yun Che's question made He Lin fall silent. Just when Yun Che thought he wouldn't answer, he spoke softly: "Compared to middle and upper star realms, the lower star realms are the safest. If discovered, there's at least some chance of escape. Besides, our current home is protected by the power of nature. My clan and I have lived there for two years and have never been discovered."
"Your clan... how many are left?"
He Lin hesitated slightly, then said: "The clansmen around me are only about a hundred. With me captured this time, they must be very worried. If they leave there to search for me, it will be terrible."
"He Lin, how old are you this year?"
"I... eleven."
"You also have an older sister?" Yun Che asked casually.
"Mm." He nodded lightly, his voice growing somber: "Three years ago, that terrible disaster... Father and Mother, to protect my sister and me, both... After that, my sister and I were separated, and I never saw her again. But I believe my sister is still alive—I can feel it!"
Yun Che didn't ask further.
Parents dead, only sibling lost. This eleven-year-old boy had experienced cruelty and suffering beyond ordinary imagination. Not because of his fault or sin, but simply because he was a Wood Spirit—a Royal Wood Spirit.
Their race inherited the purest power of nature, yet it was as if they were cursed with the cruelest curse.
Leaving Heiya City, Yun Che flew without stopping, following the direction He Lin indicated. Half an hour later, he entered a boundless dense forest.
"The home you speak of is in this forest?" Yun Che said.
"Mm!" He Lin pointed southeast. The closer they got to home, the more excited he became: "It's in that direction. I can already feel its presence... So good."
They swiftly traveled through the forest. After a long time, they finally stopped.
Ahead, towering ancient trees stood in rows, with countless thick, dark green vines spreading wildly, completely blocking the path, extending who knows where.
Under Yun Che's puzzled gaze, He Lin excitedly stepped forward, his small hand gently waving. Suddenly, the dark green vines seemed to gain sentience, rapidly twisting and moving, opening a narrow passage.
"Big Brother, come quickly!"
He Lin took Yun Che's hand and hopped into the passage formed by the parting vines. After a moment's hesitation, Yun Che followed.
The passage was long. It took a while before they saw the exit. But the moment they stepped out, a dangerous aura rushed at them. Over a dozen dark green vines, like demonic claws, slammed down from different directions.
Yun Che's profound energy surged instantly, but He Lin showed no fear at all. Instead, he continued forward, gently pushing out his small hand. A green light flashed, and the dark green vines froze in midair, then withdrew like lightning.
"Granny Qingye! Aunt Kui! Uncle Muhan... I'm back! I'm back!!"
The world before them was lush with trees and verdant grass. Every leaf and plant in sight displayed a pure, almost unbelievable emerald green. The air was refreshing, soothing the soul. Further ahead, they could see countless exotic flowers and plants, colorful butterflies dancing—a breathtaking scene. Anyone arriving here would feel an unreal sense of stepping into a fairyland.
He Lin's cheerful, crisp voice echoed far and wide through this fairy-tale-like small world.
"Lin... Lin'er! Lin'er!"
"Young Chief... it's the Young Chief!"
"Lin'er!!"
The tranquil world instantly erupted with cries of extreme excitement. One after another, emerald-green figures emerged from ancient trees and clusters of flowers, rushing toward He Lin like mad. An elderly woman, the oldest with slightly unsteady steps, tightly embraced He Lin. Before she could speak, tears were streaming down her aged face.
"Lin'er... Is it really you? You really came back? I thought you had been captured by humans... It's so good, so good that you're safe..."
Everyone else gathered around, each with tears of excitement glistening in their eyes.
These people all had emerald-green hair, eyes like crystal stones, long pointed ears, and flawless porcelain-like skin. Without doubt, these were Wood Spirits hidden here, the clansmen He Lin had mentioned.
The number was roughly a hundred, as He Lin had said before.
From their extremely excited reactions, it was clear how important He Lin was to them—the last surviving male bloodline of the Wood Spirit royal clan. Though still young, he carried the final hope of the Wood Spirit race.
"I'm sorry, Granny Qingye, I'm sorry everyone. I made you worry." Tears welled up in He Lin's eyes: "I... I was indeed captured by humans..."
"Ah!?" His words shocked all the Wood Spirits.
"But I met a good person, an extremely good and incredibly powerful Big Brother. He saved me and protected me all the way back here."
He Lin vigorously wiped away his tears and quickly came to Yun Che's side: "It's this Big Brother. If not for him, I might have... really..."
All eyes focused on Yun Che. The elderly woman, whom He Lin had called "Granny Qingye," stepped forward slowly, then suddenly lowered herself, kneeling heavily before Yun Che.
Yun Che's eyelids twitched. Just as he was about to speak, he saw that all the Wood Spirits had knelt down as well.
Yun Che: "..."
"Young human... thank you. Thank you for saving our Young Chief." Granny Qingye's aged voice carried gratitude from the depths of her soul, along with profound after-fear: "Though we hate those sinful humans, you saved our Young Chief. From now on, you are the great benefactor of our Wood Spirit race. Please accept our bow."
"The Young Chief was in danger, yet encountered such a noble person. It must be the blessing of the Chief's spirit in heaven." A middle-aged Wood Spirit called out, then deeply bowed to Yun Che.
"..." Yun Che's mouth slightly opened. After a long while, he said somewhat awkwardly: "It was merely a small effort on my part. There's no need for this."
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